Comments from Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois

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Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Murray Theatre on Aug 25, 2013 at 7:58 am

A Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/, manual/, keyboards/, was shipped from the Barton organ factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the Murray Theatre in 1925. anyone know how many /ranks, /sets of pipes it had or what happened to the organ?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Ogden Theatre on Aug 24, 2013 at 6:37 am

A Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/4, manual/rank, keyboards/set of pipes, was shipped to the Studio/Ogden Theatre from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1925. Know what happened to the organ?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Juneau Theatre on Aug 23, 2013 at 9:43 am

A Mighty WurliTizer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus 1639, a 2/4, manual/rank, keyboards/sets of pipes, was shipped from the WurliTizer factory in North Tonawanda, New York on May 5, 1927. It had a curved console, 292 pipes, an 18 note cathedral chime, 30 note xylophone, 30 note glockenspiel, bass drum, kettle drum, cymbal, snare drum, tambourine, castanets, Chinese block, horse hoofs, surf, bird, train, auto horn, fire gong, steamboat whistle, siren, tom tom, and door bell.

In 1970 the WurliTizer was sold to a private owner in Burlington, Wisconsin and that same year it was installed in a church in Burlington and was made playable. Anyone know what church, is it still in the church, or what has happened to the organ in the last 43 years?

“The selection of a WuliTizer Organ by the owners of the overwhelming number of the leading exhibitors from coast to coast is conclusive evidence of WurliTizer supremacy in the art of organ building.”

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Strand Theatre on Aug 22, 2013 at 9:25 am

Tinseltoes, that would be off topic, but since you ask, but when you ask a sailor, it could end up a long sea story!

Navy folks have always know what those initials meant and all others as my mother used to say to me “that’s to make little boys ask questions”. I joined the United States Navy in 1962 and retired in 2002. I miss it, but I can’t say my wife does. I was always involved in aviation. You know the Navy has airplanes?

Watch for the capital letters.

Aviation storeKeeper Chief (Naval Air crewmaN) Command Career Counselor

The counselor part was to try and help sailors get promoted so they would stay in the Navy, easy to say, hard to do. For the aircrew, I was loadmaster and had way over 1000 hours flying in the C9B Skytrain II, the Navy version of Douglas/McDonnell Douglas DC9-33RC. Later MD-80, MD-90, Boeing 717. It had a big cargo door so it could be loaded with 7 Air Force pallets of cargo or it could carry 110 passengers. Chiefs are the highest enlisted rate in the Navy. “The Chiefs run the Navy!” Who would know more about the Navy, an officer just out of college or an old salty Chief who has been around forever? I would have been called Chief Jensen or more often just Chief, or if they were talking about me, The Chief.

I flew as far to the West as Okinawa and as far to the East as Spain and all over in between. Getting back to Cinema Treasures, I regret I didn’t pay more attention to the cinemas in my world travels. For example, when will I ever get a chance to again check out the movie theater at the now closed U.S. Naval Air Facility Midway Island out in the middle of Pacific Ocean and it would be nice to see those Gooney Birds again!

Old sailors never die, they just get a little dingy!

The Chief!

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Strand Theatre on Aug 21, 2013 at 8:14 am

The original Wangerin Pipe Organ in the Strand was made by the Wangerin Organ Company, 112-124 South Burrell Street, Milwaukee, just a bit over 5 miles South from the theatre. They had another factory Southeast around the corner .2 miles at 117-121 South Austin Street and by World War II had a factory less than 2 miles North at 2330 South Burrell Street. Founded in 1895, they made over 1,000 mostly church organs. During the theater organ boom in the 1920’s the Barton Organ Company of Oshkosh Wisconsin could not keep up with production demand. Wangerin stepped in to assist Barton and provided space as a second manufacturing facility during those years. They made wood parts for aeroplanes during World War I and in World War II made things that had been made of metal so metal could be used for defense.

A Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/6, manual/rank, keyboard/set of pipes, was shipped from the Barton Organ Company in Oshkosh, Wisconsin or perhaps the Wangerin Organ Company in Milwaukee to the Strand, in 1926.

Anyone know what happened to either the Wangerin or Barton organs?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Majestic Theatre on Aug 20, 2013 at 7:46 am

Anyone know what happened to that Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Union Electric Theatre on Aug 19, 2013 at 7:11 am

“Electric” was used to distinguish a movie theatre from a playhouse or vaudeville theatre in the early 1900s.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Tower Theatre on Aug 18, 2013 at 8:17 am

On opening night, May 1, 1926, Bernard Cowham played “LET’S GET ACQUAINTED” at the Console of the Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ. It was a $50,000, 3/10, manual/rank, keyboards/sets of pipes, shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1926. Where is the organ now?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Riviera Theater on Aug 17, 2013 at 9:45 am

A Mighty WurliTizer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus 1638, a 2/4, manual/rank, keyboards/sets of pipes, was shipped from the WurliTizer factory in North Tonawanda, New York on May 19, 1927. It had a curved console, 292 pipes, an 18 note cathedral chime, 30 note xylophone, 30 note glockenspiel, bass drum, kettle drum, cymbal, snare drum, tambourine, castanets, Chinese block, horse hoofs, surf, bird, train, auto horn, fire gong, steamboat whistle, siren, tom tom and door bell.

Anyone know what happened to this fine instrument?

“No other make of theater organ has a finer tone, a greater volume or a wider variety of effects than the Mighty WurliTizer.”

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Uptown Theatre on Aug 16, 2013 at 8:46 am

“Les” Hoadley was the first to play the Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ console which was in ivory with gilt rococo mountings. It was a 3/10, manual/rank, keyboards/sets of pipes, shipped from the Barton Organ Company factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1926. I saw a photo of the console at the Fischer Theatre in Danville, Illinois, but I don’t think it has been installed. Anyone have any further info?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Hollywood Theater on Aug 15, 2013 at 9:23 am

A Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/, manual/, keyboards/, was shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1927. Anyone know what happened to the organ?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Radio City Music Hall on Aug 14, 2013 at 10:08 pm

What’s so significant about a 71st anniversary? Big celebrations are usually reserved for 25th, 50th, 75th and 100th.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Silver City Gem Theatre on Aug 13, 2013 at 9:26 am

The Silver City Gem never converted to sound, likely loosing most of its customers to the nearby Grace Theatre, 2 blocks West , which made the shift to sound shortly before the Silver City Gem closed in 1929.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Adelphi Theatre on Aug 12, 2013 at 9:25 am

Doris Day is “ONLY” 89, April 3, 1924.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Paris Theatre on Aug 11, 2013 at 8:33 am

As far as I know its the Greater New Birth Child Development Center part of the Greater New Birth Church across the street. The theatre house would have been the taller part of the building on the corner, nice the way the church painted the trim blue.

Its likely the theatre did not survive the transition to talkies, it is likely that sound equipment was never installed at the theatre. GO SOUND or GO DARK sorta like GO DIGITAL or GO DARK.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about National Hills Theatre on Aug 10, 2013 at 9:07 am

They look like adults to me, I would call them women not girls. I know your name, what are their names?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Granada Theatre on Aug 9, 2013 at 7:50 am

About that Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/, manual/, keyboards/, shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (named for Chief Oshkosh) in 1927. What happened to the organ?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about "American Graffiti" Anniversary article at The Digital Bits on Aug 8, 2013 at 10:01 am

Michael Coate, don’t pay any attention to Doom & Gloom Tinseltoes he wouldn’t be happy if you hung him with a new rope, he needs to read a copy of the International Bestseller, “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. All the work you put into this list and then his negative thinking!

Anyway I ALWAYS enjoy your lists, NO MATTER WHAT THE ANIVERSARY OR REASON! Besides I’m 71, if you had waited to 50 for “American Graffiti” I may not have been around to enjoy looking at it!!!! Thanks for not waiting!

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Kings Theatre on Aug 7, 2013 at 9:02 am

Thanks, Ken Roe, for your June 2013 photos. I see plenty of activity in your photos. A new office construction trailer has been set up, new fences have been put up all around the site, and it looks like all kinds of building permits have been posted underneath the marquee. All good signs. Stands to reason most of the work is being done inside the building.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Jackson Theatre on Aug 6, 2013 at 9:11 am

A Mighty WruliTizer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus 1637, 2/3, manual/ranks, keyboards/sets of pipes, was shipped to this theatre from the WurliTizer factory in North Tawawanda, New York on May 18, 1927. It had piano console, 219 pipes, an 88 note piano (with mandolin attachment), and a 18 note cathedral chimes.

Every showman regards the WurliTizer with admiration for its dependability and versatility.

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Lincoln Theater on Aug 5, 2013 at 9:04 am

Does anyone know what happened to that Golden Voiced Barton Theater Pipe Organ mentioned above?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Egyptian Theater on Aug 4, 2013 at 8:08 am

Harley Cross was the first to play the Brilliantone Barton Theater Pipe Organ, a 2/9, manual/rank, keyboard/sets of pipes. It was shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1927. The late Jim Rankin mentions above, that the organ ended up in a residence, anyone have any further info?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Colonial Theatre on Aug 3, 2013 at 8:13 am

Does anyone know what happened to that Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 3/10, manual/rank, keyboards/sets of pipes, shipped from the Barton factory in 1926?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Downer Theatre on Aug 2, 2013 at 10:59 am

That Weickhardt Pipe Organ that was in the theatre when it was first open was made by the Wangerin-Weickhardt Organ Company, 112-124 South Burrell Street, Milwaukee, just 8 miles South from the theatre. They had another factory Southeast around the corner .2 miles, at 117-121 South Austin Street and by World War II had a factory less than 2 miles North at 2330 South Burrell Street. Founded in 1895, they made over 1,000 mostly church organs. During the theater organ boom in the 1920’s the Barton Organ Company of Oshkosh, Wisconsin could not keep up with production demand. This factory stepped in to assist Barton and provided space as a second manufacturing facility during the years. They made wood parts for aeroplanes during World War I and in World War II made things of wood that had been made of metal so metal could be used for defense. Does anyone know what happened to the Weickhardt organ?

The Wondering WurliTizer

A Mighty Wurlitizer Theater Pipe Organ, Opus 1630, 2/7, manual/ranks, keyboards/sets of pipes, was shipped 640 miles from the WurliTizer factory in North Tonawanda, New York, on May 2, 1927. It had a curved console, 511 pipes, 18 notes cathedral chimes, 37 notes xylophone, 30 notes glockenspiel, 49 notes chrysoglott, bass drum, kettle drum, cymbal, crash cymbal, snare drum, tambourine castanets, Chinese block, tom tom, sleigh bells, triangle, horse hoofs, surf, bird, siren, auto horn, fire gong, steamboat whistle, machine gun and door bell.

It was later sold and shipped 307 miles to a Lutheran church in Iona, Michigan.

In June, 1972 it was sold and shipped 242 miles to the Windsor Theater Organ Club in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

This last location is 14 miles from North Tonawanda, New York, the location where the WurliTizer was born!

Anyone know what’s happened to the organ in the last 41 years since June of 1972?

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois commented about Oasis Theatre on Aug 1, 2013 at 9:09 am

That Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ was a 2/, manual/, keyboards/, shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1926 to the Savoy Theatre. Does anyone know what happened to organ?